Exotics - Expansion of French crocodile tannery to be completed in 2017

19 January 2017

Work to relocate a crocodile tannery in the Normandy region of France is expected to be completed in September 2017, according to its director.

The tannery is owned by luxury group Kering, which first announced plans to expand it in 2013. It will move from its current location in Saint-Martin-D’Aubigny to a new plant in nearby Périers.

The director of the tannery, Francis Diot, told local media that final preparations are being made, with the new facility on track to be operational by September. He added that it will create a total of 160 jobs when at full capacity, which is expected to be in 2019 or 2020.

Some operations will be forced to cease for seven weeks as machinery is transferred to the new location. The new complex will be equipped with space for treating the crocodile skins, as well as an area for working on them.

The tannery processes skins from Australia, the US and South Africa. 60% of its production is for watch straps, with the rest dedicated to small leathergoods, including bags, belts and shoes.